Southeast PDP Draws Battle Line: Tells Saraki What Must Be Done to Halt Mass Defections!

The Southeast caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly made it clear that retaining Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary is a non-negotiable condition for halting the wave of defections from the region.

According to reports, this demand was presented to the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation committee during a closed-door meeting held on Friday at the Enugu State Government House with Governor Peter Mbah.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to address internal crises and stem the tide of defections, particularly from the South-South and Southeast regions.

It will be recalled that on May 14, Southeast PDP leaders issued a communiqué threatening to leave the party if Ude-Okoye was replaced by Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.

A source who spoke to Punch disclosed that the Southeast leaders warned that the PDP risked losing its influence in the region unless their concerns were addressed.

Governor Mbah reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with how the Southeast has been sidelined in party matters, despite its historical loyalty and contributions. He reminded the panel that the region, under the leadership of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, played a crucial role in reviving the PDP during its 2015 crisis.

The source added, “The governor told the panel that keeping Ude-Okoye as National Secretary is essential to maintaining the PDP’s strength in the Southeast. He stressed that the zone has long been a stronghold of the party and deserves significant recognition in its leadership structure.”